Fashion Sketching: From 16th-Century Origins to Contemporary Art Form
Fashion illustration traces its roots back to the 16th century during the Age of Discovery, with more than 200 collections released from 1520 to 1610. The 1860s saw the rise of haute couture, as fashion houses began employing illustrators. By the late 19th century, color printing had taken over from hand-colored prints. In 1908, Paul Poiret commissioned works from artists such as Paul Iribe, who pioneered pochoir printing. From 1912 to 1925, Gazette du Bon Ton showcased artists like Charles Martin and George Barbier. In the U.S., Vogue and Harper's Bazaar were prominent, with Vogue featuring illustrated covers until World War II. The 1950s shifted focus to photography, while the 1990s saw a resurgence in digital drawing, led by Ed Tsuwaki and others, with modern illustrators displaying their work at the Victoria & Albert Museum and Tate Britain.
Key facts
- Fashion illustration originated in the 16th century with collections of engravings depicting national and social dress.
- Haute couture emerged in the 1860s, leading to direct collaboration between illustrators and couturiers.
- Paul Poiret commissioned limited-edition albums from artists like Paul Iribe.
- Paul Iribe introduced pochoir printing in 1908, inspired by Japanese techniques.
- Gazette du Bon Ton featured illustrators Charles Martin, George Barbier, and Umberto Brunelleschi between 1912 and 1925.
- Vogue used only illustrated covers from 1910 until World War II, with artists like Helen Dryden and George Wolf Plank.
- By 1936, Vogue switched to photographic covers, reducing illustration to interior pages.
- Digital drawing revived fashion sketching in the 1990s, led by Ed Tsuwaki, Graham Rounthwaite, Jason Brooks, and Kristian Russell.
Entities
Artists
- Paul Iribe
- Charles Martin
- George Barbier
- Umberto Brunelleschi
- Helen Dryden
- George Wolf Plank
- F.X. Leyendecker
- René Bouché
- Alfredo Bouret
- Tod Draz
- Tom Keogh
- Ed Tsuwaki
- Graham Rounthwaite
- Jason Brooks
- Kristian Russell
- Gill Button
- Artaksiniya (Aksiniya Missyutah)
- Velwyn Yossy
- Lucia Emanuela Curzi
- Paul Poiret
- Lara Gastaldi
Institutions
- Vogue
- Harper's Bazaar
- Gazette du Bon Ton
- Victoria & Albert Museum
- Tate Britain
- Square Lust
- Artribune
Locations
- France
- Paris
- United States
- England
- London
- Russia